Download Agreement, Release, and Acknowledgement of Risk:
You (the person requesting this file download) fully understand mountain climbing ("Activity") involves risks and dangers of serious bodily injury, including permanent disability, paralysis, and death ("Risks") and you fully accept and assume all such risks and all responsibility for losses, costs, and damages you incur as a result of your participation in this Activity.
You acknowledge that information in the file you have chosen to download may not be accurate and may contain errors. You agree to assume all risks when using this information and agree to release and discharge 14ers.com, 14ers Inc. and the author(s) of such information (collectively, the "Released Parties").
You hereby discharge the Released Parties from all damages, actions, claims and liabilities of any nature, specifically including, but not limited to, damages, actions, claims and liabilities arising from or related to the negligence of the Released Parties. You further agree to indemnify, hold harmless and defend 14ers.com, 14ers Inc. and each of the other Released Parties from and against any loss, damage, liability and expense, including costs and attorney fees, incurred by 14ers.com, 14ers Inc. or any of the other Released Parties as a result of you using information provided on the 14ers.com or 14ers Inc. websites.
You have read this agreement, fully understand its terms and intend it to be a complete and unconditional release of all liability to the greatest extent allowed by law and agree that if any portion of this agreement is held to be invalid the balance, notwithstanding, shall continue in full force and effect.
By clicking "OK" you agree to these terms. If you DO NOT agree, click "Cancel"...
Mount of the Holy Cross 14,005
Holy Cross Ridge 13,831
December 22-24, 2012
~29.8 Miles, ~9,300 Gain
TH: Base of the Tigiwon Road.
Nothing like starting a wonderful winter climbing season with good company. This was going to be an exciting trip since Ken was going to finish his final Sawatch 14er grid slot on Mount of the Holy Cross. For the folks that are unfamiliar with The Grid, The Grid is climbing each 14er in each month of the year, and Ken currently is 3 summits short of being 80% complete with 14er The Grid. Far from an easy task.
We all arrived about the same time at the base of the Tigiwon Road around 8:00 AM on the 22nd. Dwight had slept in his car and started a casual hike up the road around 6:30 AM while Ken and Jean started hiking right around 8:00 AM. At last, Sarah, Dominic and I started up the road. They walked up the super packed groomed road without snowshoes while I skinned up in my skis. We passed Ken hiking up the road and I asked, "How are you doing?"
His reply was, "Old and decrepit."
Notch Mountain from the super groomed road.
I decided to ski to camp and then continue the following day with snowshoes. The 8 mile distance to the summer trailhead went fast on the groomed road and before we knew it we were following an old trench up the trail towards Half Moon Pass. Within a quarter of a mile of the summer trailhead our trench building began. Bummer, we couldn't poach more of a trench since winter climbing is supposed to be easy.
Dominic working his way up the Halfmoon Pass trail.
Dominic breaking trail towards Halfmoon Pass.
As our paced slowed by breaking trail, we reached camp just below Halfmoon Pass at 2:30 PM. Dwight and I set up our camp while Sarah and Dominic set up theirs. Before we knew it, Ken and Jean had arrived at camp. For being old and decrepit, he made astonishingly decent time. After we set up camp, Dominic and I ventured over Halfmoon Pass to check out conditions for the descent towards East Cross Creek. Luckily, being early winter season, the snow-pack was low and any avalanche concerns were eliminated. We returned to camp where I ate dinner and went to bed rather early.
Dwight setting up camp.
Mount Jackson from Halfmoon Pass.
First view of Mount of the Holy Cross on our recon mission.
Evening light with Mount of the Holy Cross.
Dominic heading back towards camp.
Sunset.
Sunset colors at camp.
I set my alarm for 5:15 AM and we all ventured out of camp around 6:00 AM. Due to the windy night, Dominic and I had previously made was somewhat hard to follow across the northeastern talus slopes of Notch Mountain. With some GPS guidance, we were able to locate and follow the summer trail towards East Cross Creek. Normally, the summer trail cannot be followed in the winter to East Cross Creek due to the trail's sinuous path through cliff bands.
Traversing across the talus of Notch Mountain in the morning.
Working our way towards East Cross Creek.
Sunrise light on Mount of the Holy Cross.
We all took a break at East Cross Creek and started more trench building up the north slopes of Holy Cross. Since this was going to be Ken's last Sawatch Grid finish we decided to stay as a group to the summit. Near treeline, the trail-breaking was tedious and we all took turns. Unfortunately, as we climbed out of treeline, the weather failed to cooperate. The wind picked up and the visibility dropped. Upward we continued.
Getting out of treeline.
That weather doesn't look very good.
Before climbing the summit massive, the cold wind ripped through us and I began to evaluate my enjoyment of winter climbing. Ken led the way to the summit for his final Sawatch grid finish where we arrived at 12:50 PM. The wind had died down a bit, and even the sun was trying to shine but it was still far from a heat wave.
Working our way up the north ridge of Mount of the Holy Cross.
Summit comes into view for a short time.
Lovely weather.
Dwight enjoying winter climbing.
Everyone else enjoying winter climbing. I was rather cold so I didn't put much effort in getting a level shot.
Climbing the final talus slopes to the summit.
Ken leading the way to his Sawatch Grid finish.
Ken and Jean on the summit of Mount of the Holy Cross.
After a celebratory summit, Ken, Jean, Dwight started back down as Dominic, Sarah and I started towards Holy Cross Ridge. Sarah wanted to add a winter centennial to her list, so we continued onwards. Travel was a bit slower due to a fresh coat of snow on the talus. Arriving on the summit of Holy Cross Ridge at 1:50 PM, the weather was starting to clear.
A clearing of Mount of the Holy Cross on our traverse over to Holy Cross Ridge.
Dominic and Sarah enjoying the warmth on Holy Cross Ridge.
Mount of the Holy Cross.
Enjoying a quick delicious Christmas cookie, we started our way back towards the Holy Cross-Holy Cross ridge saddle. At the saddle we ascended back up to ~13,600 on Holy Cross and then traversed across the west side of Holy Cross regaining Holy Cross's north ridge back towards East Cross Creek. Near the creek, we caught up with Ken's crew and we continued as a group back to camp where we arrived at 6:40 PM.
Sarah making her way to the saddle on our return.
Sarah with Holy Cross Ridge in the background.
Clearing weather.
Before we went to bed, the temperature was a balmy 2 degrees. On the 24th, we enjoyed sleeping until 6:30 AM. We packed up camp and started our long trek back to the base of the Tigiwon Road around 8:15 AM. Once I hit the groomed road, I was glad I brought the skis and enjoyed a quick descent back to the car where I arrived at 9:30 AM. Dominic and Sarah made excellent time as well walking down the road and we made it back to Denver in the early afternoon. Outstanding winter start and huge congratulations to Ken for completing the Sawatch grid.
Sunrise on Christmas Eve.
Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):
and congrats to Ken on finishing the sawatch project. Your images keep getting better Furthermore. Not a bad place to spend the first few days (and nights) of winter either, especially with the teammates you had.
Looks like Dwight got himself a new pair of gloves too...
Super job getting that done! A hard-earned Christmas gift! And what a great mountain to finish on! Brrr! That Ridge shot looks chilly! It's supposed to hit the single digits or even 0 degrees tonight here in Iowa, so I can imagine what it was like up there! Thanks for sharing this!
It was good to be with Ken on the Sawatch grid finisher, a goal I still have a hard time fully comphrehending, although attempting to accomplish the same thing will make for many interesting winter trips, I look forward to it.
I would have enjoyed the summit a little more if I had not forgotten my goggles in the tent.
...yet we all can aspire to accomplish what you have by your age, Ken! A huge congratulations to the group for completing this remote peak in sketchy conditions!
Quite an accomplishment. You are one tough cookie. Also, congratulations on recieving the CMC Ellingwood Award for achievment in mountaineering. Very well deserved. You are a mentor to more than you know.
Everybody else, great job as trench slaves, 1st time winter baggers of Holy Cross or Holy Cross ridge, or just plain niceness!
Steve
Caution: The information contained in this report may not be accurate and should not be the only resource used in preparation for your climb. Failure to have the necessary experience, physical conditioning, supplies or equipment can result in injury or death. 14ers.com and the author(s) of this report provide no warranties, either express or implied, that the information provided is accurate or reliable. By using the information provided, you agree to indemnify and hold harmless 14ers.com and the report author(s) with respect to any claims and demands against them, including any attorney fees and expenses. Please read the 14ers.com Safety and Disclaimer pages for more information.
Please respect private property: 14ers.com supports the rights of private landowners to determine how and by whom their land will be used. In Colorado, it is your responsibility to determine if land is private and to obtain the appropriate permission before entering the property.
